Self-loading drill rig hopper

ABSTRACT

A heavy-duty container having sides and a bottom so disposed as to efficiently receive earthen material, said material extracted through means of a standard drilling tool capable of retraction directly within the container for rapid, safe, loading of material.

United States Patent 1 Russell, Jr.

SELF-LOADING DRILL RIG HOPPER Inventor: Wayne B. Russell, Jr., 3895 Lugo Ave., Lynwood, Calif. 90262 Filed: Aug. 17, 1971 App1.No.: 172,488

US. Cl. 175/88, 175/207 Int. Cl E211: 41/00 Field of Search 175/88, 84

Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,190,375 6/1965 Pearson 175/88 Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Richard E. Favreau Attarney-Donald D. Mon and D. Gordon Angus [57] ABSTRACT A heavy-duty container having sides and a bottom so disposed as to efficiently receive earthen material, said material extracted through means of a standard drilling tool capable of retraction directly within the container for rapid, safe, loading of material.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I wa as as ern efficiency which is of utmost importance in computing profit margins for contracted work. Typically, as the auger type drilling tool of a standard drilling-rig is removed from the drilling hole, the operator halts the rotary drill drive mode until the earth laden tool is clear of the drilling hole, whereupon the operator will engage a high-speed rotary mode referred to as a spin-of which mode produces a strong centrifugal force causing said laden earth to broadcast outward from the rotary drilling tool; a method which has proven to be in I itself, highly efficient. However, since the surface region of terrain immediate to the drilling area becomes heaped with soil, various means of pick-up and transfer have been resorted to, none of which prevailing, having proven particulary efficient.

Hence, it is the purpose of this invention to provide a unique and rapid system by which extracted earth can be handled without the usual duplication of effort associated with conventional methods, by combining the usual-steps into a single operation.

It is also the purpose of this invention to provide a container having an integral provision for subsequent dumpingof loaded earth at an alternate site.

=lt is also the purpose of this invention to provide a method of transference which will redistribute soil as it is released within the container.

It is also the purpose of this invention to be adaptable to various types of terrestrial equipment which may be used upon land, water, or upon other territory as may be explored in space.

It is also the purpose of this invention to provide a vessel or container having either central, side, or end aperture provision for convenient drilling through the structure thereof.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a transportable earth container which may be mounted upon,

or include, a chassis having wheels; said chassis may include a propelling system, or may be joined to one which has propelling means.

It is also thepurpose of this invention to provide for load dumping by any manner of method proven suit- By way of implementing greater clarity into this disclosure, the main subjectstructure or housing suitable to the containment of extractedsoil shall herein after be referred to as the Container; the tool retraction hole within the structure, referred to as the Aperture; and the apparatus suitable for internai redistributing of soil, as the Conveyer.

Therefore, in accordance with the present disclosure,

.2! container is described as fabricated in a manner comrigs are often mounted upon the aft section of a truck or trailer frame which permits adaptation of the invention through any one of several expedient methods; including that of a separate cart having attachable means for fixed location relative to the said drilling tool. In this manner, the drilling tool may be raised sufficiently from the ground to permit the container-cart to be wheeled beneath and latched in position, whereupon the boring tool may be lowered into the aperture provided within the container structure, and the drilling procedure may commence. Loading of extracted earth in this manner is vastly simplified, as the laden boring tool is retracted from the drilling hole upward through the aperture to a point where said tool is entirely encompassed by the walls of the container; whereupon rapid sequencing of a spin-of mode, serves to thrust all laden earth off of the tool and onto the receptive walls of the container. Thus, in this manner, the invention accomplishes great savings in manual labor which is considered the usual accepted method by which earth is transferred from a cumulative heap encircling the drilling hole. This conventional loading method also posed a safety hazard, as workmen shoveling in proximity to the drilling procedure stood the chance of being impaled by flying rock, expecially during the spin-off sequence of operation. a

In addition this lnventions greatly improved method of loading earth directly from hole to container in a single uninterrupted operation, the Invention provides for a secondary function in the form of a conveyor apparatus to effectively prevent any build-up of balky earthen material which otherwise might adversely affect the efficiency of the spin-off sequence. This conveyer acts as a continuous shovel to move soil away in a constant flow.

Means for unloading the filled container may be accomplished by a number of different methods such as the bottom opening arrangements of transverse or lo'ngitudinal hinged or sliding doors, or shifting of the entire container in tilt dumping fashion which might include an end opening gate; any manner of which can be activated by methods common to hopper car or dump cart equipment practice.

FIG. 1 is a plan view displaying an integrated version of the invention and indicating cutting-plane of subsequent figure.

FIG. 2 is ,a side-elevation view shown in cutaway cross-section revealing fundamental operatives of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan-view revealing relative positioning of associated equipment and indicating cutting-plane of subsequent figure.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view shown in partial cutaway cross-section which reveals basic arrangement of the components.

Therefore, in conjunction with the preceeding descriptive enumerations, reference is given to the drawing of FIG. 1 where is exhibited an interpretation of the Invention which unites the container structure and the drill rig apparatus into a totally integrated unit of equipment. In this view as well as FIG. 2, we see the preferred arrangement of container sidewalls or enclosure 10 and fixed bottom or bed 11 are shaped in a manner as to fully encircle a preferrably central drilling-shroud l2/A which is raised to position l2/B by retraction action of auger tool 13/A as it is raised to position 13/8; thus, effecting an annular passage 14 for extracted earth to gravity spill until emptied, whereupon lowering of the tool to position 13/A allows the shroud ring to restore itself to closed position l2/A where it rests upon flange of container bed 16 positioned around the aperture. Since said shroud floats around drive shaft 17 through means of hanger rods 18, hanger l9, and guide collar 20, no additional :asistance load is imposed upon said turning shaft 17. in position 21, the tool is shown in its normal initial drilling .tttltude, whereupon withdrawal of said tool up through the aperture by raising the auger shaft to position 22 allows sequencing of the spin-off mode to throw off laden earth into the container well area 23 in an efficient manner, until said earth reaches an approximate height as indicated at level 24. The associated component members of the cart-drill equipment, are the standard assemblage of running gear, such as heavy-duty tires, wheels and axles and the like 25; and a typical overhead drilling structure comprising a drilling platform 26, driving motor 27 for driving the shaft, Kelly mast 28, and supporting framework 29. Thus, it is found an advantage that upon completion of project work such as underground pipe repair, the configuration represented here readily replaces earth extracted from the working hole. I

The adaptation shown in FIGS. 3 & 4 illustrates how two separate units of earth handling equipment are joined so as to provide a quick and efficient method of automatically handling earth drillings without reliance upon manual labor. Referring to the preferrably interlapping mating region 30, it may be noted that a reasonably circular aperture 31 is formed which permits passage of the rotary drilling tool 32 as it is raised from an initial drilling position 33 to a retracted spin-off position 34 whereby extracted earth is flung outward upon bottom or bed 35 or caught by shroud section 36 which serves to delay unloading of the drills spiral ramps until the rotational cycle progresses to the region of free spin-off spillage into said container-cart bed. To preclude any impairment of this most efficient operation, it is preferred to include some form of powered transference of the earthen material as represented by the outline form of a substantially standard conveyer device which comprises sprockets 37 turning upon shafts 38, said sprokets turning in unison via endless roller chains 39, to which are affixed by standoffs 40, a plurality of paddle like drag-blades 41 arranged in a well known manner to travel in orbit adjacent to the spin-off region 42 and thereby carry away via lower path of travel 43 any excess earth which is redeposited to the opposite end of container at region 44: while the trailing axle of conveyer 45 may be adjusted as to height through the extent of arrowed are 46.

A suitable alternate method not illustrated, is simply that of a flip-over type dump tray which would be selfloaded due to proximity of the spin-off in region 35, while said tray may be inverted by rotating backwards approximately 180 degrees on an axis transverse to chassis orientation. Thus, loads may be rapidly transferred into region 44, aided by means of various known power pivoting actuators. Final dumping of the accumulated load 44 may be easily accomplished in the manner of a standard aft opening gate which may also be power activated by remote control of the rigs operator. In some installations of this equipment, the Kelly drive mast '28 may reach such extreme height as to be cumbersome in transit to the work site therefore, pivotal provision may be made to allow tilting of the entire drilling platform 47 toward a horizontal attitude.

While the foregoing serves to illustrate and describe the preferred embodiments of the Invention, various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the Invention relates. Accordingly, it is imprudent to limit the Invention to the disclosure made herewith; as it is desired that various modifications and equivalents may be resorted to which fall within the spirit and scope of the Invention as claimed.

I claim the following I 1. Earth removal apparatus comprising: a container adapted to be positioned above an area to be excavated and having a bottom and side enclosure adapted to contain excavated material and having an aperture through said bottom, an auger shaft adapted to be driven in rotation and having a substantially vertical axis of rotation and movable vertically up and down along said axis, an earth auger mounted on said shaft and positioned so that it can be protruded and retracted through said aperture and be positioned either above or below said aperture, shroud means within said container surrounding said axis and positionable so that its lower end partitions said aperture from the interior part of container outside of said shroud and also surrounds said auger when the auger is within the lower part of said container, said auger being rotatable at a first speed of rotation adapted for drilling and raising earthen material upward into said container through said aperture, and also rotatable at a second speed of rotation which flings earthen material outward from the auger by centrifugal force, the provision and arrangement being such that when the auger is positioned beneath the aperture it can drill through and fill with earthen material and when the auger thus filled is raised above the shroud means within the container the application of said second speed of rotation causes the earthen material contained by the auger to be spun-off toward the side of the container.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the container is provided with a closable outlet which when opened, permits discharge of material from the container.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which, when the auger is raised to a position above that in which the said second speed of rotation is applied, the shroud means is lifted to expose the aperture to the earthen material deposited in the container.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least part of the side of the container slants toward the aperture to facilitate dumping of material within the container when the shroud means is lifted.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shroud means comprises a cylindrical member the lower edge of which is positionable around the periphery of the aperture.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means attached to said shroud means for lifting it to bring said aperture into communication with an interior part of said container which is outside said shroud, so that material in said container can be emptied through said aperture.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said means attached to the shroud means comprises a device freely mounted to said auger shaft and means attached to said shaft operates on said device to raise said shroud means to uncover the aperture when the shaft is raised.

8. Earth removal apparatus comprising: a container adapted to be positioned above an area to be excavated and having a bed and side enclosure adapted to contain excavated material and having an aperture through said bottom, an auger shaft adapted to be driven in rotation and having-a substantially vertical axis of rotation and movable vertically up and down along said axis, an earth auger mounted on said shaft and positioned so that it can be protruded and retracted through said aperture and be positioned either above or below said aperture, said auger being rotatable at a first speed of rotation adapted for drilling and raising earthen material upward into said container through said aperture, and also rotatable at a second speed of rotation which flings earthen material outward from the auger by centrifugal force, the provision and arrangement being such that when the auger is positioned beneath the aperture it can drill through and fill with earthen material and when the auger thus filled is raised above the aperture within the container the application of said second speed of rotation causes the earthen material contained by the auger to be spun-off from the auger, said container having within it a mechanical conveyor means for conveying spun-off material from the region of the auger to another part of the container.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said aperture is formed by two mating units fitted together, one of said units containing the periphery of part of said aperture and the other of said units containing the periphery of the remainder of said aperture.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the mechanical conveyor means comprises an endless belt provided with scoops.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said units are detachable from each other. 

1. Earth removal apparatus comprising: a container adapted to be positioned above an area to be excavated and having a bottom and side enclosure adapted to contain excavated material and having an aperture through said bottom, an auger shaft adapted to be driven in rotation and having a substantially vertical axis of rotation and movable vertically up and down along said axis, an earth auger mounted on said shaft and positioned so that it can be protruded and retracted through said aperture and be positioned either above or below said aperture, shroud means within said container surrounding said axis and positionable so that its lower end partitions said aperture from the interior part of container outside of said shroud and also surrounds said auger when the auger is within the lower part of said container, said auger being rotatable at a first speed of rotation adapted for drilling and raising earthen material upward into said container through said aperture, and also rotatable at a second speed of rotation which flings earthen material outward from the auger by centrifugal force, the provision and arrangement being such that when the auger is positioned beneath the aperture it can drill through and fill with earthen material and when the auger thus filled is raised above the shroud means within the container the application of said second speed of rotation causes the earthen material contained by the auger to be spun-off toward the side of the container.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the container is provided with a closable outlet which when opened, permits discharge of material from the container.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which, when the auger is raised to a position above that in which the said second speed of rotation is applied, the shroud means is lifted to expose the aperture to the earthen material deposited in the container.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least part of the side of the container slants toward the aperture to facilitate dumping of material within the container when the shroud means is lifted.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the shroud means comprises a cylindrical member the lower edge of which is positionable around the periphery of the aperture.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means attached to said shroud means for lifting it to bring said aperture into communication with an interior part of said container which is outside said shroud, so that material in said container can be emptied through said aperture.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said means attached to the shroud means comprises a device freely mounted to said auger shaft and means attached to said shaft operates on said device to raise said shroud means to uncover the aperture when the shaft is raised.
 8. Earth removal apparatus comprising: a container adapted to be positioned above an area to be excavated and having a bed and side enclosure adapted to contain excavated material and having an aperture through said bottom, an auger shaft adapted to be driven in rotation and having a substantially vertical axis of rotation and movable vertically up and down along said axis, an earth auger mounted on said shaft and positioned so that it can be protruded and retracted through said aperture and be positioned either above or below said aperture, said auger being rotatable at a first speed of rotation adapted for drilling and raising earthen material upward into said container through said aperture, and also rotatable at a second speed of rotation which flings earthen material outward from the auger by centrifugal force, the provision and arrangement being such that when the auger is positioned beneath the aperture it can drill through and fill with earthen material and when the auger thus filled is raised above the aperture within the container the application of said second speed of rotation causes the earthen material contained by the auger to be spun-off from the auger, said container having within it a mechanical conveyor means for conveying spun-off material from the region of the auger to another part of the container.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said aperture is formed by two mating units fitted together, one of said units containing the periphery of part of said aperture and the other of said units containing the peripheRy of the remainder of said aperture.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the mechanical conveyor means comprises an endless belt provided with scoops.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said units are detachable from each other. 